Barbecue grill tank enclosure

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly. The support apparatus is connected to a portion of the frame assembly of the grill assembly. In one embodiment, the support apparatus includes a door having a first wall and a second wall adjacent and transverse to the first wall. In another embodiment, the support apparatus includes a door and a substantially vertical member rotatedly supporting the door. One wall of the door is adapted to support the fuel tank. The door is moveable between a first position wherein the fuel tank is stored for use, and a second position wherein the fuel tank is accessible. The support apparatus has a first vent and a second distal vent to vent the cavity of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support for a fuel tank, and morespecifically, the present invention relates to a moveable support for afuel tank used in connection with a barbecue grill and/or other cookingaccessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past few decades, the popularity of gas barbecue grills andoutdoor cooking devices has increased tremendously. Such barbecue grillsmay be connected to a cart assembly and thus moveable between variouslocations, or the barbecue grills may be incorporated into or connectedto a fixed structure, such as a built-in island. Additionally, thebarbecue grill may receive its fuel for cooking from a fuel tank, oftenholding liquid propane, and/or from a direct line, typically carryingnatural gas which is conveyed through piping. When a fuel tank isutilized a tank support is usually incorporated into the cart assemblyor fixed structure.

Manufacturers of cart assemblies and other fixed structures haveintroduced a number of support devices for the barbecue grill fuel tank.Conventional support devices, however, suffer from a number of problemsand limitations. Most conventional support devices are affixed to aportion of the frame assembly of the barbecue grill or the cookingdevice, typically a vertical frame member. In this manner, the supportdevice and the fuel tank are exposed to potentially harsh outdoorelements. Also, the frame members must be specifically designed orreinforced to withstand the increased loads presented by the supportdevice and the fuel tank. Additionally, because most frame assembliesare formed from a plurality of frame members, access to a spent fueltank is compromised when the support device is affixed to the frameassembly.

A number of larger gas barbecue grills have a frame assembly whichincludes a cabinet or a storage cavity, and the fuel tank is placedtherein. In this manner, the fuel tank remains unsecured and susceptibleto unexpected movement. Alternatively, a conventional support device ispermanently affixed to an internal frame member of the cabinet. Ineither case, the structure of the cabinet impairs the access to andreplacement of a spent fuel tank.

Therefore, there is a definite need for a support device for a fuel tankthat is movable between a first position wherein the fuel tank isprotected and stored for use, and a second position, wherein the fueltank is accessible. In addition, there is a need for a support devicethat provides for generally unobstructed removal and replacement of aspent fuel tank.

The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fuel tank enclosure and supportapparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grillassembly or other gas outdoor cooking device. The support apparatusgenerally comprises a housing member and a support member for the fueltank.

According to one embodiment, the support member is a door assembly. Thedoor assembly has a first wall and a second wall adjacent and transverseto the first wall. The second wall of the door assembly is adapted tosupport the fuel tank. In one embodiment the first and second walls arein intersecting vertical planes.

According to another embodiment, a gusset joins a portion of the firstwall and the second wall to provide additional rigidity to the doorassembly. The gusset may extend from adjacent one end of the first walland join the second wall adjacent one end of the second wall.

According to another embodiment, the door assembly is moveable between afirst position and a second position. In the first position, the doorassembly and the fuel tank are positioned generally within the housingmember of the enclosure. In the second position, a portion of the doorassembly is positioned generally beyond a portion of the housing and theframe assembly. Further, in the second position the fuel tank ispositioned generally beyond the housing and the frame assembly. Thus,when the door is in the first position the fuel tank is stored for use,and when the door is in the second position the fuel tank is accessible,meaning that a user can detach and/or remove an empty fuel tank from thedoor assembly.

According to another embodiment, a tank scale is provided. The fuel tankis supported by the fuel tank scale.

According to another embodiment, the tank enclosure has a first ventaperture and a second vent aperture. The first vent aperture is adjacenta top of the fuel tank enclosure, and the second vent aperture isadjacent a bottom of the fuel tank enclosure.

According to another embodiment, the housing member of the fuel tankenclosure assembly has a first wall, a second wall opposing the firstwall, a top wall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall, and a rear wall.Further, the housing member has an opening leading to a cavity betweenthe walls of the housing for the fuel tank. Typically, when the door isin the first position the door substantially covers the opening to thecavity of the housing.

According to another embodiment, the housing member has no bottom wall.

According to another embodiment, a shaft member is provided. The doorassembly rotates about the shaft member to move from the first positionto the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft memberresides in a generally vertical axis.

According to another embodiment, the shaft member has an angled portionto provide support for the door. Further, in one embodiment the shaftmember has a top end and a bottom end. In this embodiment the shaftmember may engage the housing or frame assembly adjacent both the topand bottom ends of the door. In one embodiment, a first end of the shaftextends past an extent of a first end of the door, and a second end ofthe shaft extends past an extent of a second end of the door. The firstand second ends of the shaft extend into the housing assembly of thebarbecue grill.

According to another embodiment, a retaining member is provided. Theretaining member removably secures the door in the second position. Theretaining member is adapted to provide securement to the door such thatthe position of the door remains generally fixed. In one embodiment, theretaining member is a magnet that removably secures the door to a wallof the housing.

The fuel tank support apparatus of various embodiments provides a numberof significant advantages over conventional fuel tank support devices.One such advantage is the ability to rotate the door from a storedposition (first position) to an access position (second position) suchthat a spent fuel tank can be removed and replaced. Another advantage isthe ability to rotate the door from the access position to the storedposition once the replacement fuel tank is connected to the door. Yetanother advantage provided by the door is positioning the fuel tankwithin the housing in the stored position to preclude exposure tooutdoor elements.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barbecue grill assembly incorporatingone embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another barbecue grill assemblyincorporating one embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the tankenclosure assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tank enclosureassembly;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the tank enclosure assembly of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the fuel tank support of FIG. 4, showingthe door of the tank enclosure assembly in the first position;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the tank enclosure assembly of FIG. 4,showing the door of the tank enclosure assembly in the second position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a barbecue grill assembly incorporatinganother embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the tankenclosure assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tank enclosure assembly of FIG. 9;and,

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the tank enclosure assembly of FIG.10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now in detail to the FIGS., and specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4,there is shown one embodiment of a tank enclosure assembly 10. The tankenclosure assembly 10 generally comprises a support apparatus 12,generally being a door 12, a housing assembly 16 and a hinge or pivotmember 18. The housing assembly 16 may include a fuel tank enclosureframe assembly 14. The tank enclosure assembly 10 may be utilized inconjunction with a barbecue grill assembly 20 having a frame assembly22, such as in the example shown in FIG. 1, or it may be utilized inconjunction with barbecue grill assembly 24 having a built-in supportstructure 26, such as in the example shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, thetank enclosure assembly 10 may be a part of the frame assembly 22 or thebuilt-in support structure 26.

For reference purposes, the barbecue grill assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1generally includes a frame assembly 22 and a cooking chamber 28. Theframe assembly 22 is adapted to provide support to the cooking chamber28. The frame assembly 22 includes a combination of vertical framemembers 30, transverse frame members 32, and horizontal frame members34. Conversely, the barbecue grill assembly 24 shown in FIG. 2 has abuilt-in support structure 26 for providing support to the cookingchamber 36.

Referring back to the tank enclosure assembly 10, in one embodimentshown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the door 12 of the tank enclosure assembly 10has a first wall 38, a second wall 40 and a gusset 42. The second wall40 is adapted to support the fuel tank 63. With reference to the twowalls of the door 12, the first wall 38 is generally adjacent andtransverse to the second wall 40. Further, in this embodiment, the firstand second walls 38, 40 are positioned in substantially intersectingvertical planes. A gusset 42 connects the first wall 38 and the secondwall 40 by joining a portion of the first wall 38 and the second wall40. The gusset 42 provides additional structural strength and rigidityto the door 12 of the tank enclosure assembly 10.

With respect to this example of the door 12 of the tank enclosureassembly 10, the first wall 38 has a first end 44, a second end 46, athird end 48 and a fourth end 50. Similarly, the second wall 40 has afirst end 52, a second end 54, a third end 56 and a fourth end 58. Thefirst end 44 of the first wall 38 is adjacent to the first end 52 of thesecond wall 40, the fourth end 50 of the first wall 38 is adjacent tothe gusset 42, and the fourth end 58 of the second wall 40 is adjacentto the gusset 42.

Additionally, portions of the first and second walls 38, 40 of the door12 have flanges 60 to assist in increasing the structural rigidity ofthe door 12. Specifically, the second and third ends 46, 48 of the firstwall 38, and the second and third ends 54, 56 of the second wall 40 havesuch flanges 60. Additionally, the gusset 42 may also have a flange 61to increase the rigidity and overall strength of the door 12.

The door 12 of the tank enclosure assembly 10 is moveable between afirst position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, and a second position, asshown in FIG. 7. In the first position, the fuel tank 63 is positionedgenerally within the housing assembly 16 of the fuel tank enclosureassembly 10, and the door 12 is positioned generally adjacent thehousing assembly 16. In the second position, a portion of the door 12 ispositioned generally beyond a portion of the housing assembly 16.Further, in the second position the fuel tank 63 is positioned generallybeyond a cavity 85 of the housing assembly 16. Accordingly, when thedoor 12 is in the first position the fuel tank 63 is stored for use, andwhen the door 12 is in the second position the fuel tank 63 isaccessible, meaning that a user can detach and/or remove an empty fueltank 63 from the door 12.

To move from the first position to the second position, the door 12rotates or pivots about a hinge assembly 18. In one embodiment, thehinge/pivot assembly 18 is a shaft 62. Thus, in this embodiment the door12 rotates about the shaft member 62 to move from the first position tothe second position. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the shaftmember 62 resides in a generally vertical axis to provide rotationalsupport for the door 12 to rotate about the fuel tank enclosure frameassembly 14. Thus, in a preferred embodiment the door 12 is rotatableabout a generally vertical axis.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft member 62 has a first end 66,a first angled portion 64 a adjacent the first end 66, a second end 68,and a second angled portion 64 b adjacent the second end 68. Generally,the portion of the shaft member 62 between the first end 66 and thefirst angled portion 64 a is in a parallel vertical axis as the portionof the shaft member 62 between the second end 68 and the second angledportion 64 b. The angled portions 64 assist in providing rigidity to theshaft member 62, as well as providing locational positioning and supportfor the door 12. The shaft 62 is generally connected to a supportstructure, which may include a frame assembly 22, a built-in supportstructure 26, a fuel tank enclosure frame assembly 14, a housingassembly 16, or any other acceptable structure. In one embodiment, theshaft member 62 is supported by the housing assembly 16 adjacent bothits first and second ends 66, 68 thereof.

To accept and retain the shaft 62, the door 12 has a first aperture 70in one of the upper portions of the door 12, and a second aperture 72 inone of the lower portions of the door 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The firstend 66 of the shaft 62 extends through the first aperture 70, and thesecond end 68 of the shaft 62 extends through the second aperture 72.Additionally, the first end 66 of the shaft 62 also extends through afirst bushing 74 adjacent the upper portion of the door 12. Similarly,the second end 68 of the shaft 62 also extends through a second bushing76 adjacent the lower portion of the door 12. A further description ofthe structure and use of the bushings 74, 76 is described below.

As explained above, the door 12 is rotatedly connected to either thehousing assembly 16 or the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly 14 (whichmay be a component of the housing assembly 16). Further, the fuel tankenclosure frame assembly 14 may be part of the frame assembly 22, partof the built-in support structure 26, or it may be a separate component.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the fuel tank enclosure frameassembly 14 is a component that is tack welded to the housing assembly16, and thus forms a part of the housing assembly 16. The frame assembly14 generally provides structural rigidity to a portion of the housingassembly 16. In this embodiment the frame assembly 14 comprises opposingfirst and second frame members 78 a, 78 b and opposing third and fourthframe members 80 a, 80 b. The frame assembly 14 also has connectingmembers 82 to connect the frame assembly 14 to the housing assembly 16.Additionally, one of the connecting members 82 preferably has aconnection portion 84 to support a gas line 102 extending from thegrill.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing assembly 16 generally comprises ahousing structure which is made of a plurality of walls defining acavity 85. In one example, the housing assembly 16 has a back wall 86, atop wall 88, a bottom wall 90, and opposing side walls 92. The back wall86, top wall 88 and bottom wall 90 can be made of a single piece of bentsheet material, such as aluminum or steel, including stainless steel.The opposing side walls 92 are connected, typically via welding, to thetop, bottom and back walls 86, 88, 90. Once the housing assembly is 16constructed, each of the respective connecting members 82 of the frameassembly 14 can be secured to the respective portion of the housingassembly 16. This may be accomplished with hardware, such as with boltsand nuts, via welding, or via any other acceptable process.

In this embodiment of the housing assembly 16, the back wall 86 of thehousing assembly 16 has an aperture 94 for housing a vent 96, and anaperture 98 for housing a grommet 100. As best shown in FIG. 6, a gaspiping or tubing 102 extends through the aperture 98 and grommet 100 andconnects to a gas fitting 104.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the fuel tank 63 is supported by the door 12 viaa fuel tank scale 106 connected to a support channel 108. The supportchannel 108 is connected to the second wall 40 of the door 12 via aplurality of fasteners, and the tank scale 106 is connected to thesupport channel 108 on the second wall 40 with a plurality of fasteners.The second wall 40 has an opening 110 which allows a user access tosecure fasteners, such as wing nuts, to threaded posts extending fromthe tank scale 106 and through the support channel 108. In this mannerthe tank scale 106 is secured to the support channel 108, and the fueltank 63 is supported by a bracket of the tank scale 106. The second wall40 has additional openings 112 which allow a user access to secure tankglides 114 to the support channel 108. The tank glides 114 assist inpositioning the tank 63 a distance for the support channel 108, as wellas providing a surface in which the tank 63 can glide against as thetank 63 moves upward due to the decreasing weight of a depleting fueltank 63.

Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank 63 via a fuel line 116 that extendsfrom the tank valve 118 to the gas connection port 104. This fuel line116 is generally a flexible fuel line 116 which is long enough to allowthe fuel tank 63 to be moveable, i.e., when the door 12 is moved fromthe first position (FIG. 4) to the second position (FIG. 7), even whenthe fuel tank 63 is in fluid connection to the grill.

Ultimately, the fuel tank 63 is contained within the cavity 85 of thehousing assembly 16 when the door 12 is positioned in the first positionas described above. Similarly, when the door 12 is in the firstposition, as shown in FIG. 4, an opening to the cavity 85 of the housingassembly 16 is substantially covered or closed by the door 12.

When the door 12 is in the first position, however, the opening to thecavity 85 of the housing 16 is not completely closed in a preferredembodiment. Instead, a gap 120 is defined adjacent at least one edge ofthe door 12. In one embodiment, a gap 120 is provided adjacent thebottom edge of the door 12, generally at the location adjacent thefourth end 50 of the first wall 38.

The gap 120 provides an area for the ingress or egress of air flow aboutthe cavity 85 of the housing 16. Air can also flow into and out of thecavity 85 through the vent 96 in the housing 16. As such, air flowpatterns into and out of the cavity 85 are provided via the vent 96 andthe air gap 120. In one embodiment the gap 120 is provided by a portionof at least one of the bushings 74, 76 adjacent the door 12.

As explained above, in this embodiment the first end 66 of the shaft 62extends through the first bushing 74 adjacent the top of the door 12,and the second end 68 of the shaft 62 extends through the second bushing76 adjacent the bottom of the door 12. The bushings 74, 76 generallyhave a stem portion 122 and a shoulder portion 124. The stem portion 122of the first bushing 74 may be inserted into either the first aperture70 of the door 12 or an aperture 126 in one of the fuel tank enclosureframe assembly 14 or the housing assembly 16. Similarly, the stemportion 122 of the second bushing 76 may be inserted into either thesecond aperture 72 of the door 12 or an aperture 128 in one of the fueltank enclosure frame assembly 14 or the housing assembly 16. Asexplained above, it is understood that the fuel tank enclosure frameassembly 14 and the housing assembly 16 may be comprised of a singleassembly or a multi-functional assembly.

Subsequently, the shoulder portion 124 of the first bushing 74 ispositioned adjacent the top portion of the door 12, and the shoulderportion 124 of the second bushing 76 is positioned adjacent the bottomportion of the door 12. In one example, the bottom portion of the door12 generally rests on the shoulder portion 124 of the second bushing 76.Thus, by engineering a height of the shoulder portion 124 of thebushings 74, 76 to a defined dimension, and specifically by engineeringthe height of the shoulder portion 124 of the second bushing 76 to adetermined dimension, the gap adjacent the door 12 can be defined. Morespecifically, in this example the shoulder portion 124 of the secondbushing 76 determines the height of the gap 120 adjacent the lowerportion of the door 12.

The fuel tank enclosure assembly 10 may also include a handle 130 toassist a user in opening the door 12. The handle 130 is generallyconnected to the outside of the first wall 38 of the door 12.Additionally, the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10 may include aretaining member 132 (FIG. 3) to removably secure the door in the firstposition. In one embodiment, the retaining member 132 is a magnet 132secured to the second wall 40 of the door 12.

An alternate embodiment of the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′ isdisclosed in FIGS. 8-11. In describing the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11,like components of this embodiment to the prior embodiment will beidentified with like reference numerals and including a “′” identifier.This embodiment includes an alternate form of venting of the housing16′. In general, such alternate venting is accomplished via an alternatehousing assembly 16′ and support assembly 12′. As in the priorembodiment, the support assembly is typically a door.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′comprises a door 12′, a housing assembly 16′ and a hinge or pivot member18′. The housing assembly 16′ may also include a fuel tank enclosureframe assembly 14′. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel tank frameassembly 14′ is a component of the housing assembly 16′. The tankenclosure assembly 10′ may be utilized in conjunction with a barbecuegrill assembly 20 having a frame assembly 22, such as in the exampleshown in FIG. 1, or it may be utilized in conjunction with barbecuegrill assembly 24 having a built-in support structure 26, such as in theexample shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. Additionally, the tank enclosureassembly 10′ may be a part of the frame assembly 22 or the built-insupport structure 26.

In this embodiment, the door 12′ of the tank enclosure assembly 10′ hasa first wall 38′, a second wall 40′ and a gusset 42′. The second wall40′ is adapted to support the fuel tank 63. With reference to the twowalls of the door 12′, the first wall 38′ is generally adjacent andtransverse to the second wall 40′. Further, in this embodiment, thefirst and second walls 38′, 40′ are positioned in substantiallyintersecting vertical planes. The gusset 42′ connects the first wall 38′and the second wall 40′ by joining a portion of the first wall 38′ andthe second wall 40′. The gusset 42′ provides additional structuralstrength and rigidity to the door 12′ of the tank enclosure assembly10′.

With respect to this example of the door 12′ of the tank enclosureassembly 10′, the first wall 38′ has a first end 44′, a second end 46′,a third end 48′ and a fourth end 50′. Similarly, the second wall 40′ hasa first end 52′, a second end 54′, a third end 56′ and a fourth end 58′.The first end 44′ of the first wall 38′ is adjacent to the first end 52′of the second wall 40′, the fourth end 50′ of the first wall 38′ isadjacent to the gusset 42′, and the fourth end 58′ of the second wall40′ is adjacent to the gusset 42′.

Additionally, portions of the first and second walls 38′, 40′ of thedoor 12′ have flanges 60′ to assist in increasing the structuralrigidity of the door 12′. Specifically, the second and third ends 46′,48′ of the first wall 38′, and the second and third ends 54′, 56′ of thesecond wall 40′ have such flanges 60′. Additionally, the gusset 42′ mayalso have a flange 61′ to increase the rigidity and overall strength ofthe door 12′. An access slot 138′ is provided in the gusset 42′ to allowthe shaft 62 to be inserted into position without having to bend theshaft 62′.

The tank enclosure assembly 10′ of this embodiment has a first vent 134′in the door 12′. The first vent 134′ has a first vent opening oraperture 136′. In a preferred embodiment, the first vent 134′ isgenerally adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure 10′, and preferablyadjacent a top or second end 46′ of the door 12′. As shown in FIGS.9-11, in a preferred embodiment, the first vent aperture 136′ comprisesa plurality of apertures 136′. Such apertures 136′ in the illustratedembodiment comprise a plurality of slots 136′. In a preferredembodiment, the first vent 134′ comprises twenty-seven vertical slots136′. Each of the slots has a total area of approximately 0.742 in².

Like the door of the prior embodiment, the door 12′ of this tankenclosure assembly 10′ is moveable between a first position, as shown inFIG. 10, and a second position, as shown in FIG. 11. In the firstposition, the fuel tank 63 is positioned generally within the housingassembly 16′ of the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′, and the door 12′is positioned generally within the cavity 85′ of the housing assembly16′. In the second position, a portion of the door 12′ is positionedgenerally beyond a portion of the housing assembly 16′ and substantiallyoutside the cavity 85′ of the housing assembly 16′. Further, in thesecond position the fuel tank 63 is positioned generally beyond thehousing 16′ and the frame assembly 14′. Accordingly, when the door 12′is in the first position the fuel tank 63 is stored for use, and whenthe door 12′ is in the second position the fuel tank 63 is accessible,meaning that a user can detach and/or remove an empty fuel tank 63 fromthe door 12′.

To move from the first position to the second position, the door 12′rotates or pivots about a hinge assembly 18′. In one embodiment, thehinge/pivot assembly 18′ is a shaft 62′. Thus, in this embodiment thedoor 12′ rotates about the shaft member 62′ to move from the firstposition to the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the shaftmember 62′ resides in a generally vertical axis to provide rotationalsupport for the door 12′ to rotate about the fuel tank enclosure frameassembly 14′. Thus, in a preferred embodiment the door 12′ is rotatableabout a generally vertical axis.

As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the shaft member 62′ is provided toposition the door 12′ about the vertical axis. More specifically, theshaft member 62′ has a first end 66′, a first angled portion 64 a′adjacent the first end 66′, a second end 68′, and a reverse angledportion 64 b′ adjacent the second end 68′. Generally, the portion of theshaft member 62′ between the first end 66′ and the first angled portion64 a′ is in a similar vertical axis as the portion of the shaft member62′ between the second end 68′ and the reverse angled portion 64 b′. Theangled portions 64 a′, 64 b′ assist in providing rigidity to the shaftmember 62′, as well as providing locational positioning and support forthe door 12′. Additionally, the reverse angled portion 64 b′ inconnection with access slot 138′ (described above) provides assistancein assembling the tank enclosure assembly 10′. The shaft 62′ isgenerally connected to a support structure, which may include a frameassembly 22, a built-in support structure 26, a fuel tank enclosureframe assembly 14′, a housing assembly 16′, or any other acceptablestructure. As explained below, in a preferred embodiment the shaftmember 62′ is supported by portions of the housing assembly 16′ adjacentboth its first and second ends 66, 68. In a preferred embodiment theshaft 62′ is made of a 0.243″ diameter steel rod that is formed in thedesired shape.

To accept and retain the shaft 62′, the door 12′ has a first aperture70′ in one of the upper portions of the door 12′, and a second aperture72′ in one of the lower portions of the door 12′ as shown in FIG. 9. Thefirst end 66′ of the shaft 62′ extends through the first aperture 70′,and the second end 68′ of the shaft 62′ extends through the secondaperture 72′. Additionally, the first end 66′ of the shaft 62′ alsoextends through a first bushing 74′ adjacent the upper portion of thedoor 12′. Similarly, the second end 68′ of the shaft 62′ also extendsthrough a second bushing 76′ adjacent the lower portion of the door 12′.In this embodiment, the bushings 74′ and 76′ are positioned within theapertures 70′ and 72′ in the door 12′.

As explained above, the door 12′ is rotatedly connected to either thehousing assembly 16′ or the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly 14′(which may be a component of the housing assembly 16′). Further, thefuel tank enclosure frame assembly 14′ may be part of the frame assembly22, part of the built-in support structure 26, or it may be a separatecomponent. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the fuel tankenclosure frame assembly 14 is a component that is plug or tack weldedto the housing assembly 16, and thus forms a part of the housingassembly 16.

As shown in FIG. 9, the housing assembly 16′ has a fuel tank enclosureframe assembly 14′. The frame assembly 14′ comprises a first framemember 78 a′, and opposing third and fourth frame members 80 a′, 80 b′.The frame assembly 14′ also has three connecting members 82′, adjacentthe first, third and fourth frame members 78 a′, 80 b′, 80 c′ to connectthe frame assembly 14′ to the housing assembly 16′.

Also as shown in FIG. 9, the housing assembly 16′ generally comprises ahousing structure which is made of a plurality of walls defining acavity 85′. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the housing assembly 16′ ofthis embodiment has a back wall 86′, a top wall 88′, and opposing sidewalls 92′. The housing assembly 16′ has no bottom wall. The back wall86′, and the opposing side walls 92′ are made of a single piece of bentsheet material, such as aluminum or steel, including stainless steel.The top wall 88′ is connected, typically via welding, to the back andside walls 86′, 92′. In this embodiment the top wall 88′ has an aperture140′ through which a portion of a bulkhead or regulator bracket 142′ canbe positioned to connect the bulkhead assembly 144′. The top wall 88′also has an aperture 146′ into which the first end 66′ of the shaft 62′extends to connect the top portion of the door 12′ to the housingassembly 16′. In this embodiment, the housing assembly 16′ also has across member 79′. The cross member 79′ connects the opposing side walls92′ of the housing 16′. The cross member 79′ has an aperture 148′ intowhich the second end 68′ of the shaft 62′ extends to connect the bottomportion of the door 12′ to the housing assembly 16′.

In the preferred embodiment, the back wall 86′ of the housing assembly16′ has an aperture 150′, and the sidewall 92′ of the housing assembly16′ has an aperture 152′. These apertures 150′, 152′ are to allow pipingto extend from the bulkhead assembly 144′ to the gas grill, typicallyfor either the gas burners or an auxiliary burner, such as a sideburner. Typically, as shown in FIG. 9, the apertures 150′, 152′ haveeither an open grommet or bushing 100′, or a closed or plugged grommetor bushing 100′. For example, if the gas tubing is to be extended outthe aperture, then an open bushing would be utilized, however, if no gastubing is to be extended out that aperture, then a plugged bushing wouldbe utilized.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the bulkhead assembly 144′ comprises a regulator154′ which connects to the fuel tank 63, a fuel line 116′ which connectsthe regulator 154′ to a tee connector 158′, and an elbow 160′ whichconnects to the bulkhead bracket 142′. Typically the gas line 102′extending to the gas burner of the barbecue grill will connect to theoutlet of the elbow 160′. If an auxiliary burner is not utilized, thesecondary outlet of the tee connector 158′ will be capped. Otherwise, ifan auxiliary burner is utilized then a second gas line will be connectedto the outlet of the tee connector 158′. The bulkhead assembly 144′ isconnected to the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′ by inserting a portionof the bulkhead bracket 142′ through the aperture 140′ in the top wall88′ of the housing assembly 16′. The bulkhead bracket 142′ is thensecured with fasteners to the top wall 88′ of the housing 16′.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the fuel tank 63 is supported by the door 12′via a fuel tank scale 106 and a support channel 108′. As explainedabove, the support channel 108′ is connected to the second wall 40′ ofthe door 12′, typically via tack welding, and the tank scale 106 isconnected to the support channel 108′ on the second wall 40′ with aplurality of fasteners. The second wall 40′ has an opening 110′ whichallows a user access to secure fasteners, such as wing nuts, to threadedposts extending from the tank scale 106 and through the support channel108′. In this manner the tank scale 106 is secured to the supportchannel 108′, and the fuel tank 63 is supported by a bracket of the tankscale 106. The second wall 40′ has additional openings 112′ which allowa user access to secure tank glides 114′ to the support channel 108′.

Ultimately, the fuel tank 63 is contained within the cavity 85′ of thehousing assembly 16′ when the door 12′ is positioned in the firstposition as described above. Similarly, when the door 12′ is in thefirst position, as shown in FIG. 10, the opening through the front ofthe housing 16′ is substantially covered or closed by the door 12′.

As explained above, the first end 66′ of the shaft 62′ extends throughthe first bushing 74′ adjacent the top of the door 12′, and the secondend 68′ of the shaft 62′ extends through the second bushing 76′ adjacentthe bottom of the door 12′. The first end 66′ of the shaft 62′ thenfurther extends into the aperture 146′ in the top of the housingassembly 16′, and the second end 68′ of the shaft 62′ extends into theaperture 148′ in the cross member 79′ of the housing assembly 16′. Thissecures the door 12′ to the housing assembly 16′.

The fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′ also includes a pull handle 130′which is inset into the door 12′ to assist a user in opening the door12′. Additionally, the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′ typicallyincludes a retaining member 132′ (FIG. 9) to removably secure the door12′ in the first position. In this embodiment, the retaining member 132′is a magnet 132′ secured in the flange 60′ of the first wall 38′ of thedoor 12′. The magnet 132′ connects to a bracket on the housing 16′.

Accordingly, the fuel tank enclosure 10′ of this embodiment includes afirst vent 134′ and a second distal vent 135′ to vent the cavity 85′ ofthe fuel tank enclosure 10′. The first vent 134′ has a first ventaperture 136′, and the second vent 135′ has a second vent aperture 137′.The first vent 134′ is adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure 10′. Ina preferred embodiment this is in the top or second end 46′ of the firstwall 38′ of the door 12′. The second vent 135′ is adjacent a bottom ofthe fuel tank enclosure 10′. In a preferred embodiment, this is beneaththe door 12′, and more particularly below the cross member 79′ of thehousing assembly 16′. Since the housing assembly 16′ has an open bottom,the second vent 135′ of the tank enclosure 10′ can vent into thebuilt-in support structure 26, as shown in FIG. 8. Additionally, thereis a gap 178′ between the cross member 79′ and the bottom end 180′ ofthe housing assembly 16′. Thus, the second vent 135′ also vents out thefront of the fuel tank enclosure assembly 10′ beneath the door 12′.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinaryskill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodimentscould be provided in any combination with the other embodimentsdisclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,”and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes onlyand do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term“plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, eitherdisjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying Claims.

1. A fuel tank enclosure for a barbecue grill, comprising: a door havinga first wall and a second wall adjacent and transverse to the firstwall, and a fuel tank bracket connected to the second wall to supportthe fuel tank, the door being moveable between a first position whereinthe fuel tank is stored for use, and a second position wherein the fueltank is accessible.
 2. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 1, furthercomprising a shaft member having a substantial portion residing in agenerally vertical axis, the door rotating about the shaft member tomove from the first position to the second position.
 3. The fuel tankenclosure of claim 1, further comprising a gusset joining a portion ofthe first wall and the second wall.
 4. The fuel tank enclosure of claim1, wherein the fuel tank bracket comprises a fuel tank scale, andwherein the fuel tank is supported by the fuel tank scale.
 5. The fueltank enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are inintersecting vertical planes.
 6. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 1,further comprising a housing having a cavity for the fuel tank, whereinthe door substantially covers a front opening to the cavity of thehousing when the door is in the first position.
 7. The fuel tankenclosure of claim 2, further comprising a housing having a cavity forthe fuel tank, wherein the door substantially covers a front opening tothe cavity of the housing when the door is in the first position, andwherein the shaft member connects the door to the housing.
 8. The fueltank enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a first vent apertureadjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure, and a second vent apertureadjacent a bottom of the fuel tank enclosure.
 9. The fuel tank enclosureof claim 8, wherein the first vent aperture extends through a portion ofthe first wall of the door.
 10. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 9,wherein the second vent aperture resides beneath the door.
 11. The fueltank enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a tank regulator andbulkhead assembly removably connected to the fuel tank enclosure.
 12. Afuel tank enclosure for a barbecue grill, comprising: a housingassembly; and, a door rotatedly connected about a generally verticalaxis to the housing assembly, the door having a bracket to support thefuel tank, wherein the door rotates about the vertical axis from a firstposition to a second position, wherein the fuel tank is accessible whenthe door is in the second position, and wherein the fuel tank isretracted in the housing when the door is in the first position.
 13. Thefuel tank enclosure of claim 12, wherein the door comprises a first walland a second wall transverse to the first wall, the fuel tank beingoperably connected to the second wall of the door.
 14. The fuel tankenclosure of claim 13, further comprising a gusset connecting the firstwall with the second wall, the gusset residing in an intersecting planeto the first and second walls.
 15. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 12,further comprising a shaft member connected to the door, the shaftmember providing rotational support for the door to rotate about thehousing assembly.
 16. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 15, wherein theshaft member has a reverse bent portion.
 17. The fuel tank enclosure ofclaim 15, wherein the shaft member has a top end and a bottom end, andwherein the shaft member engages the housing assembly adjacent both thetop and bottom ends thereof.
 18. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 12,further comprising a bushing adjacent the door, wherein the bushing hasa shoulder dimensioned to provide a defined gap adjacent an edge of thedoor, the gap providing an area for the ingress or egress of air flowabout a cavity of the fuel tank enclosure.
 19. The fuel tank enclosureof claim 12, wherein the housing assembly has an open bottom.
 20. Thefuel tank enclosure of claim 12, further comprising a first ventaperture adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure, and a second ventaperture adjacent a bottom of the fuel tank enclosure.
 21. The fuel tankenclosure of claim 20, wherein the first vent aperture extends through aportion of the first wall of the door, and wherein the second ventaperture resides beneath the door.
 22. The fuel tank enclosure of claim12, wherein the housing assembly is a component of a frame supportingthe barbecue grill.
 23. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 12, wherein thehousing assembly is connected to a built-in support structure for thebarbecue grill.
 24. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 12, furthercomprising a retaining member in the door to removably secure the doorin the first position.
 25. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 12, whereinthe housing assembly comprises a cabinet having a frame member.
 26. Asupport apparatus for a fuel tank used with a barbecue grill, thesupport apparatus comprising: a door having a support for the fuel tank,and a substantially vertical member rotatedly supporting the door,wherein the substantially vertical member is connected to a supportstructure.
 27. The support apparatus of claim 26, wherein the supportstructure is a built-in support structure for the barbecue grill. 28.The support apparatus of claim 26, wherein the support structure is atank enclosure housing.
 29. The support apparatus of claim 26, whereinthe substantially vertical member is a shaft, wherein a first end of theshaft extends past an extent of a first end of the door, wherein asecond end of the shaft extends past an extent of a second end of thedoor, and wherein the first and second ends of the shaft extend into thesupport structure.
 30. A fuel tank enclosure for housing a fuel tank tobe in fluid communication with a gas burner of a barbecue grill assemblycomprising: a housing and a door rotatably connected to the housing, thehousing having a cavity, wherein the fuel tank enclosure has a firstvent and a second distal vent to vent the cavity of the housing.
 31. Thefuel tank enclosure of claim 30, wherein a first vent opening of thefirst vent is adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure, and wherein asecond vent opening of the second vent is adjacent a bottom of the fueltank enclosure.
 32. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 30, wherein a ventopening of the first vent and a vent opening of the second vent exitadjacent a front of the fuel tank enclosure.
 33. The fuel tank enclosureof claim 31, wherein the first vent opening comprises a plurality ofapertures adjacent a top of the door.
 34. The fuel tank enclosure ofclaim 31, wherein the second vent opening comprises an open bottom ofthe tank enclosure.
 35. A fuel tank enclosure for a barbecue grillassembly, comprising: a housing having a cavity for a fuel tank; a doorsubstantially covering an opening to the cavity of the housing when thedoor is in a first position, the door being moveable to a secondposition to provide access to the cavity of the housing, wherein thedoor has an aperture in a wall thereof to provide a first vent for thecavity, and wherein the cavity has a second vent adjacent a bottom ofthe housing.
 36. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 35, wherein thehousing has an open bottom.
 37. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 35,wherein the door rotates in a generally vertical axis about a shaftconnected to the housing.
 38. The fuel tank enclosure of claim 35,wherein the door has a first wall, a second wall adjacent and transverseto the first wall, and a bracket connected to the second wall, thebracket adapted to support a fuel tank.
 39. The fuel tank enclosure ofclaim 35, further comprising a tank regulator and a bulkhead assemblyremovably connected to a regulator bracket, the regulator bracket beingremovably connected to the housing.
 40. The fuel tank enclosure of claim35, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises a first gas port for fluidlyconnecting a first gas burner to the fuel tank, and a second gas portfor fluidly connecting a separate second gas burner to the fuel tank.